DOLE turns 84, vows to improve workers’ welfare

Improvement in the welfare of workers both here and abroad became the highlight of the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE’s) 84th founding anniversary celebration in Malolos, Bulacan the other day.

During the event, Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III presented an audio visual presentation (AVP) showing the achievements of his department during the first 18 months of his administration.

“We celebrate the hard work of our people in the department in the attainment of our goals of uplifting the lives of every Filipino worker,” Bello said in a statement.

Foremost in the list of milestones in the AVP is DOLE's intensified campaign against illegal contractualization and other labor violations; innovative occupational safety and health regulations for those, whose nature of work involves standing and sitting for long periods of time; streamlining of the processing time in their key services and the inclusion of a feedback mechanism.

Also included in the AVP is the printing and distribution of the overseas Filipino worker identification card (OFW ID), and the expected launch of the Overseas Filipino Bank (OFB) next year.

Lastly, DOLE also reported it was able to maintain the industrial peace in the country by settling the 50,386 labor cases that benefitted 82,102 workers.

Bello committed to continue making such reforms for the remaining duration of his term.

“As we set sail to another year, we will remain steadfast in moving the nation forward by fulfilling our mandate set forth by the Duterte administration,” Bello said.

DOLE’s anniversary, which had the theme “Trabahong Marangal Para sa Lahat, Sabay-Sabay Nating Iangat” this year, was attended by President Duterte.